Itinerary Details
1 Arrive Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo oscillates between heightened refinement and sense-scrambling extremes. Stroll amid the moats and formal gardens of the Imperial Palace and the tranquil Meiji Shrine, then plunge into the vibrant whirl of Harajuku's anime-inspired fashion scene. Tokyo is where the past, present and future coexist in electrifying harmony.
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2 Tokyo – Japan’s Megacity Revealed
Experience the way Tokyo gracefully juxtaposes tradition with cutting-edge trends, beginning with a tour of iconic sites including the Meiji Shrine, Hamarikyu Japanese Garden and Tokyo National Museum. Then, venture into the Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (MOMAT), which houses a huge collection of art by both local and international artists ranging from the Meiji era (1868-1912) to the modern day. Cap off your excursion with a primer on sake brewing.
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3 Tokyo – Galleries Of RoppongiExploring the galleries of Roppongi with your local guide offers a special insight into the cutting-edge art scene of Tokyo. Visit Perrotin, the Japanese branch of French art dealer Emmanuel Perrotin’s renowned gallery, and ShugoArts, founded by Shugo Satani, son of legendary collector and gallerist Kazuhiko Satani, for a deeper understanding of Japan's place in today’s art world.
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4 Kanazawa – Gardens And GeishasSet at the southern end of the Noto Peninsula along the coast of the Sea of Japan, Kanazawa is Japan’s hidden secret. Authentically Japanese, the city is home to one of the country’s most beautiful classical gardens, a historic samurai quarter, a traditional geisha district and a number of elegant handicraft workshops.
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5 Kanazawa – Legacy Of The SamuraiWander through the Nagamachi Samurai Residence, where authentic artifacts offer a glimpse into the storied past of Japan's warrior class, and lose yourself in the beauty of Kenrokuen Garden, a 17th-century oasis. Stroll along its tranquil paths, cross graceful arched bridges and find peace by its serene waterways. Then, explore the intricate process of crafting ceramics at Kutani pottery kiln, where nearly 400 years of tradition come to life, creating a personalized memento; tour fascinating silk dyeing studios employing centuries-old techniques; visit Nomura-ke, an exquisitely restored samurai residence; and explore the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art.
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6 Kanazawa – Market DayElsewhere in the city, Omicho Ichiba, a vast covered market dating back to 1721, and the time-warp teahouses of Higashi Chaya-gai, the thriving geisha district, await discovery alongside your local guide.
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7 Kyoto – Where Tradition ThrivesAs Japan’s former imperial capital for more than a thousand years, a place of shrines, bamboo groves and treasures, Kyoto has long been an incubator and preserver of high-art forms, from calligraphy and ceramics to tea ceremonies and refined geisha entertainments. Begin your exploration at the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto (MoMAK), a national institution devoted to 20th century artworks from Japan and beyond. Then, visit galerie 16, one of the city’s most influential contemporary art spaces since 1962.
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8 Kyoto – Nijo Castle And The Golden PavilionExplore one of Kyoto’s major landmarks, Nijo Castle. Built in 1603, the castle is one of the finest examples of feudal-era Momoyama architecture. Move on to another cultural landmark, Kinkakuji. Also known as the Golden Pavilion, this magnificent Zen temple reflects its namesake gold leaf onto the surface of Kyokochi Pond. Continue to the temples and shrines of Arashiyama and Tenryuji, pausing to stroll the iconic span of Togetsu Bridge.
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9 Kyoto – Wear A Kimono And Make OrigamiExplore Kyoto's rich cultural heritage via traditional vestments, donning an intricately layered kimono under guidance within an authentic machiya townhouse. Afterward, delve into the art of origami, learning to transform simple squares of paper into elegant sculptures — a craft that has flourished in Japan since the Edo period (1603–1867).
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10 Naoshima Island – Enclave Of Contemporary ArtThe small, sparsely populated islands of Naoshima and Teshima rise sharply from the jade waters of the Seto Inland Sea, offering a stunning setting for contemporary art exhibitions and galleries. These art islands draw the world’s top artists and designers, celebrating modern creativity amid serene, rugged landscapes. Your time in Naoshima revolves around tours of great contemporary art institutions, including Chichu Art Museum and Lee Ufan Museum. Stay at the uniquely captivating Benesse House, a museum and hotel designed by Tadao Ando, where art, architecture and nature converge in a remarkable environment.
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11 Teshima Island – Leave Your Heartbeat BehindOn Teshima Island, a boat ride away, tour Teshima Yokoo House, a renovated harbor-facing home turned art space; Teshima Art Museum, a droplet-shaped marvel in a restored rice terrace; and “Les Archives du Coeur,” where Christian Boltanski has been recording heartbeats since 2008. Add your own to this global collection.
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12 Naoshima Island – Works By Tadao Ando And OthersContinue your immersion in Japan’s living artistic legacy, starting at the Naoshima New Museum of Art. Design by renowned architect Tadao Ando, the museum’s collections focus on communicating diverse perspectives and fostering cultural experiences with people of the islands. Then discover the Art House Project in Naoshima's Honmura district. Comprising seven locations, this project features houses scattered about residential areas that artists turn into works of art, weaving in history and memories of the period when the buildings were lived in and used. Finish at another Tadao Ando-designed inner space that infuses new life into a 100-year-old traditional wooden house. Learn about Ando's work and Naoshima’s history through photographs, sketches, and models. Afterward, journey by ferry and then train to Osaka, where you settle into your hotel.
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13 Depart OsakaMeals:
